The Life and Revelations of St. Gertrude the Great records a lifetime of mystical conversation between St. Gertrude and the Lord. Through the course of her life, God revealed many spiritual truths and practices to St. Gertrude that still guide the faithful today. This excerpt compiles several revelations about selfless prayer.
We Must Pray With Faith
As Gertrude once prostrated at the feet of Our Lord Jesus, and kissed His Wounds with all possible respect and devotion, before praying for several persons and several affairs which had been recommended to her, she saw a stream breaking forth from the Heart of Jesus, which appeared to water all the place where she was. She understood that this stream was the efficacy of the prayers which she had offered at His feet, and said to Him: “My Lord, what advantage will those persons receive for whom I have prayed, since they cannot feel the effect of my prayers, and consequently cannot expect any consolation therefrom?”
Our Lord answered by the following similitude: “When a king makes peace after a long war, those who live at a distance cannot be made aware of it until a favorable opportunity occurs; thus they who separate themselves from Me by their diffidence or other defects cannot perceive when others pray for them.” “But, Lord,” she replied, “Thou hast Thyself made known to me that some of those for whom I have prayed are not separated far from Thee.” “It is true,” answered Our Lord; “but he to whom the king gives his orders personally, and not through his officers, must wait for the convenience of his prince. And thus I will Myself make known to them the effect of your prayers, when I find it will be most advantageous to them to do so.”
Gertrude then prayed specially for a person who had persecuted her formerly, and received this reply: “As it would be impossible for anyone to have his foot pierced through without his heart sympathizing in its sufferings, so My paternal goodness cannot fail to look with eyes of mercy on those who, while they groan under their own infirmities and feel their need of pardon, are nevertheless moved by a holy charity to pray for the welfare of their neighbor.”
Praying For The Sick
As it is a duty of humanity to pray often for the sick, the Saint inquired of God what would be most for the advantage of an invalid for whom she prayed. Our Lord replied: “Say two words for her with devotion—first, pray that she may preserve her patience; and secondly, pray that I may make every moment of suffering serve for her spiritual advancement and for My glory, according as the charity of My paternal Heart has ordained from all eternity for her salvation. And know that each time you pray thus, you will increase your merit and that of the sick person, even as an artist makes the colors brighter by retouching his painting.”
Praying For Church Leaders
As Gertrude prayed for persons in office, she understood that what God desired most from them, and especially from prelates, was, that they should possess these dignities as if they possessed them not—that is to say, that they should use their authority as if it had only been granted to them for a day or an hour, and that they should be ready at any moment to resign their charge, yet without ceasing to do all in their power for the glory of God, saying to themselves continually in their hearts:
“Courage! Let us neglect nothing which may procure the honor of Our Lord in these matters, that we may at last lay down our burden without fear, when we have promoted His glory and the advantage of our neighbor.”
Requesting Prayers From Others
As the Saint prayed for a person who had requested her prayers with great humility, both personally and through others, she saw Our Lord approach this person, encompassing her with celestial light, and pouring forth on her in the midst of this splendor all the graces which she had hoped to receive through the merits of the prayers of Gertrude. Our Lord taught her by this, that when anyone confides in the prayers of another, with a firm confidence that through their intercession they will receive grace from God, the Lord in His goodness pours forth His benedictions on them according to the measure of their desires and their faith, even when he to whose prayers they have recommended themselves neglects to pray for them.
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This article is taken from a chapter in The Life and Revelations of St. Gertrude the Great by St. Gertrude the Great which is available from TAN Books.